Every spring flowers bloom, plants come to life and places like Belmont Nursery are able to add a few more workers. But nursery owner Connie Reelhorn says it's been tough to differentiate fact from propaganda in healthcare reform talks.
Reelhorn said, "Anything that is going to decrease small business costs is really appreciated obviously but I find it hard to believe we can spend that much money and our prices will go down."
An analysis by the Congressional Budget Office shows a business the size of Belmont Nursery shouldn't be impacted when states sign up for health options programs.
Rich Mostert said, "Insurance costs will either stay the same or possibly drop by three-percent. So we're hoping that's true."
Mostert is with the Small Business Development Center and he says no sudden changes will occur since the plan wouldn't kick in until 2014.
Mostert explained, "Companies with 50 or fewer employers are not required to have medical insurance for their employees. There are some incentives for smaller businesses with 25 or fewer employees, as of this writing that will provide possible tax credits."
Mostert says the rules are based on size. Companies with over fifty employees who do not offer health coverage could be fined $750.00 per employee.
Reelhorn said, "If the rule says 50 and more they will get in trouble, trust me, I'll stay at 49."
Reelhorn expects it will be a few years before the legal system and congress sort out all the details of this health care reform bill.
